New from Gladstone, Or and new 1981 F250 4x4

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New from Gladstone, Or and new 1981 F250 4x4

delco1946
Hi All, i just recently bought an 1981 ford F250 Ranger XLT 4x4 (for probably way to much but oh well!) I'll be using it to help as i fix up my old house (got tired of strapping lumber and furniture to the roof of my saturn), and plan to slowly fix it up as money and time allow. Im still just learning how it likes to operate, idle, etc but i have a list of issues to tackle and this forum seems like a wealth of info. Im based in the Portland Oregon area (just south in Gladstone).
Christopher in Portland Or. 1981 F250 Ranger XLT 4x4 trailer special 351M, and auto C6
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Re: New from Gladstone, Or and new 1981 F250 4x4

Gary Lewis
Administrator
Welcome! Glad to know you.

We have a member's map (Bullnose Forum/Member's Map) and I'd be more than happy to add you to it if you'd like. It looks like this. (I'm enjoying my new-found ability to embed things.)

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

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Re: New from Gladstone, Or and new 1981 F250 4x4

grumpin
In reply to this post by delco1946
Welcome! Nice truck.
Dane
1986 F250HD SC XLT Lariat 4x4 460 C6-Sold
1992 Bronco XLT 4x4 351W E4OD
1998 GMC Sierra SLE K1500 350 4L60E
Arizona
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Re: New from Gladstone, Or and new 1981 F250 4x4

delco1946
thanks and thats fine by me, Gary!
Christopher in Portland Or. 1981 F250 Ranger XLT 4x4 trailer special 351M, and auto C6
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Re: New from Gladstone, Or and new 1981 F250 4x4

Rembrant
In reply to this post by delco1946
Welcome aboard delco. Nice truck. Looks quite nice for it's age.
1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

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Re: New from Gladstone, Or and new 1981 F250 4x4

Ford F834
Administrator
In reply to this post by delco1946
Welcome to the group! That is a great looking truck, I am biased toward 81’s 😁😇. Also looks like it may have the “Trailer Special” (red badges on the fender)? You almost never see that. You will love this for your home improvement projects.
SHORT BED 4-DOOR DIESEL: 1986 F350 4x4 under construction-- 7.3 IDIT ZF5+GVOD

STRAIGHT SIX 4X4: 1981 F150 2wd to 4x4-- 300 I6 close ratio diesel T19, hydroboost brakes, Saginaw steering

BIG F: 1995 F-Superduty under construction— converting to 6.9L IDI diesel ZF5+DNE2
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Re: New from Gladstone, Or and new 1981 F250 4x4

Gary Lewis
Administrator
In reply to this post by delco1946
You are now, quite literally, on the map.  See if you like where you are, but I can move you if you'd like.

You can just scroll up to the map I embedded and it will show you if refreshed.
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

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Re: New from Gladstone, Or and new 1981 F250 4x4

1986F150Six
Administrator
Welcome! What size wheels are on your truck?
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Re: New from Gladstone, Or and new 1981 F250 4x4

Ferdinand
In reply to this post by delco1946
Welcome Delco, nice truck indeed.
Had an '82 I'm trying to find some pictures of. I built it about 25 years ago, but would love the trip down memory lane 😉
Jamie Helmick
'85 Bronco 351W HO, C6, 4X4, Full rebuild @ 51k original miles (fire), Edelbrock air gap intake & 600 cfm carb. w/elec. choke. 4" RC lift w/35's. Check the Projects Page if you're interested.
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Re: New from Gladstone, Or and new 1981 F250 4x4

delco1946
You're about three blocks off from reality Gary. I'd say thats close enough!

Also, the truck is a trailer special! 2 battery, heavy duty everything it seems, transmission cooler, auto, speed control, and lots of options! I was pretty excited to find it, as this truck should be able to do everything but sip gas, and i loved the color scheme. Parts are proving to be harder to find tho. I have a 1955 crown victoria that has basically all parts available NOS or reproduced....but an 81 ford truck has so few parts available. I guess not many are fixing up 80s trucks (yet). Eventually ill replace the carpet (prolly from AAC), replace the faded door panels, and roof liner. Might even switch out the newer radio for an original am/fm w 8-track player if it doesn't cost me hundreds (radios are expensive on eBay!).

I actually do not like the tires/wheels, they're not original, and loud as they're more for mudding. Ill be (eventually) getting original wheels and hubcaps ( i like my vehicles stock ). Im still learning about tires but they're huge , must be 16.5 inches by "something wider than original" (maybe 8?).
Christopher in Portland Or. 1981 F250 Ranger XLT 4x4 trailer special 351M, and auto C6